REPORT TITLE
:
Specialist study of the Turn-in Line for the
proposed Braamhoek Substation on the
affected aesthetic environment
CLIENT
:
Margen
Industrial
Services
International (SA) for ESKOM
PROJECT NAME
:
Braamhoek
Assessment
REPORT STATUS
:
Draft
Substation
CKA PROJECT NUMBER :
04041
PLACE AND DATE
:
Pretoria, March 2005
Keywords and Phrases
:
and
Visual
PBA
Impact
Visual Impact Assessment, Eskom, Braamhoek,
Substation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION
1
2
BACKGROUND AND BRIEF
1
3
STUDY APPROACH
1
3.1
Method
1
3.2
Limitations, Constraints and Assumptions
2
4
5
DESCRIPTION OF THE BASELINE CONDITIONS
3
4.1
Description of the Works
3
4.2
Description of the Natural Physical Elements
4
IDENTIFICATION OF RISK SOURCES
5
5.1
Construction Phase
5
5.1.1
Negative Risk Sources
5
5.1.2
Positive Risk Sources
6
5.2
6
Operational Phase
6
5.2.1
Negative Risk Sources
6
5.2.2
Positive Risk Sources
7
IMPACT DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT
7
6.1
The Visual Analysis
7
6.1.1
The Viewshed
7
6.1.2
The Viewing Distance
7
6.1.3
The Visual Absorption Capacity
8
6.2
The Visual Impact
8
6.2.1
The View Distance
8
6.2.2
Critical Viewpoints
9
6.2.3
Extent and Spatial Scale
9
6.2.4
Duration
9
6.2.5
Intensity or Severity
9
6.2.6
The Probability of Occurrence
10
6.2.7
Magnitude and Significance
10
6.2.8
Status of the Impact
10
6.2.9
Degree of Confidence in Predictions
10
6.2.10 Legislation
7
8
9
10
RECOMMENDED GENERAL MITIGATION / MANAGEMENT
MEASURES
12
7.1
12
Earthworks and Landscaping
DISCUSSION
13
8.1
13
Evaluation
REFERENCES
16
ESKOM BRAAMHOEK SUBSTATION
VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
1
INTRODUCTION
Margen Industrial Services / PBA International (SA) as the lead consultants
for the Environmental Impact Assessment have commissioned Cave Klapwijk
and Associates to undertake the visual assessment investigation for the
construction of the proposed Braamhoek Substation near the De Beers Pass,
Kwazulu-Natal.
2
BACKGROUND AND BRIEF
The project components will consist of the substation only.
This visual assessment is a specialist study to determine the visual effects of
the proposed Braamhoek Substation Project on the surrounding
environment.
The purpose of this Specialist Study is to determine the impact of the
proposed project on the visual and aesthetic character of the proposed
alternative routes. The rationale for this Study is that the placement of the
substation may fundamentally alter the landscape character and sense of
place of the local environment. The primary objective of this Specialist Study
is therefore to describe the potential impact of this structure on the visual
character and sense of place of the area. This Specialist Study will have the
following objectives:
•
Determine the visual character of the areas along the proposed project
routes by evaluating environmental components such as topography,
current land use activities, surrounding land use activities, etc.;
•
Identify elements of particular visual quality that could be affected by
the proposed developments;
•
Recommend mitigation measures to reduce the potential visual impacts
generated by the proposed power line.
3
STUDY APPROACH
3.1
Method
In order to address the objectives of the study the following method has been
used:
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Visual Impact Assessment
Braamhoek Substation
•
A site visit to determine the setting, visual character and land uses of
the areas was undertaken;
•
Determine the setting, visual character and land use of the area
surrounding the route, and the Genius Loci (sense of place);
•
Discussions and meetings with the specialist consultant team and Client
to identify specific aspects of the construction and development which
would affect the visual quality of a setting;
•
Define the extent of the affected visual environmental, the viewing
distance and the critical views.
The visual impact assessment statements in this report are based on the
expert opinion of the authors and attitudes that are generally accepted
worldwide.
The assessment is based on the field trip and the agreed alternative routes
as determined during a field inspection held on 12, 13 and 14 January 2005.
As this report is set at a scoping level with a limited budget no definitive
surveys such as viewshed analysis and visual absorption capacity studies
have been undertaken.
3.2
Limitations, Constraints and Assumptions
The following assumptions and limitations are applicable to this study:
•
The basis for this assessment is that scenic wilderness areas form the
core of eco-tourism due to the high positive aesthetic appeal;
•
The assessment does not consider the ancillary project infrastructure
and components such as access roads, borrow pits, spoil dumps, etc.
These components will be assessed in detail during the design phase
should the project be implemented;
•
The assessment is based on assumed demographic data. No detailed
study was done to determine accurate data on potential viewers of the
project components. If necessary these studies could be undertaken
during the design phase of the project;
•
The location and extent of the construction and labour campsites, as
well as material lay-down areas will only be determined during the
design and construction phases. These are, however, of a relatively
temporary nature and can effectively be controlled through the
Environmental Management Plan;
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Visual Impact Assessment
•
Braamhoek Substation
Determining a visual resource in absolute terms is not achievable.
Evaluating a landscape’s visual quality is both complex and
problematic. Various approaches have been developed but they all
have one problem in common: unlike noise or air pollution, which can
be measured in a relatively simple way, for the visual landscape mainly
qualitative standards apply. Therefore subjectivity cannot be excluded
in the assessment procedure (Lange 1994). Individually there is a great
variation in the evaluation of the visual landscape based on different
experiences, social level and cultural background. Exacerbating the
situation is the inherent variability in natural features. Climate, season,
atmospheric conditions, region, sub-region all affect the attributes that
comprise the landscape. What is considered scenic to one person may
not be to another (NLA, 1997).
Localised visual perceptions of the economically depressed communities of
the population have not been tested as these may be influenced rather by the
economic and job opportunities that will exist rather than the direct visual
perception of the project.
If the study, however, determined that the negative visual impact is of such a
magnitude and significance that it will seriously influence the decision on
whether or not to build, it will then be necessary to test and determine the
visual perceptions of neighbouring communities. Such a study is involved,
costly and time consuming.
4
DESCRIPTION OF THE BASELINE CONDITIONS
4.1
Description of the Works
The proposed project comprises the following development:
Three alternative sites have been proposed for the substation. Two of the
sites are on the farm Braamhoek (Braamhoek East and West) and one is
located on Zaaifontein.
The substation will be similar in size and slope to the existing Pegasus
Substation near Dundee.
The size and equipment of the typical substation includes the following:
•
•
•
•
•
New station, transformers, reactors, etc.
No PCBs (Poly Chloro Biphenyl), but cooling oils will still needed for
equipment
Maximum height of infrastructure is expected at 45 m
A footprint of approximately 320 m x 160 m
Located lose to tunnel outlet
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Visual Impact Assessment
•
•
4.2
Braamhoek Substation
Connected to National Grid via 400kV Turn-in from Majub-Venus #2
A second 400kV connection direct to Venus (Estcourt) – reliatbility of
supply. An important aspect of the proposed Braamhoek Substation is
that it will be constructed on a working platform created during the
power station tunnel construction. Spoil and waste rock material will
result from the tunnelling process. It is intended that some of the
suitable material will be used for the surfacing of the access roads and
the rest will be used for creating a terraced working platform for the
power station construction. This platform will be located near the
access tunnel and exploratory tunnel portals and will be used as a
construction camp and storage area for the power station construction.
Once this phase is complete, the substation will be constructed on this
platform, thereby causing minimal additional damage to the local area.
Description of the Natural Physical Elements
•
Landform
The surrounding landform consists of rolling and undulating hills and
broad valleys of the Drakensberg foothills immediately below the main
escarpment. This landform is located at a relatively high altitude that
rises up to the high escarpment-type mountains of the Drakensberg.
The Zaaifontein site is situated on the eastern slopes of a foothill
terrace below a spur coming off the escarpment. Soils are shallow,
highly erodable and often rocky.
•
Vegetation
The vegetation is classified as North-eastern Mountain Grassland by
Low and Rebelo (1996) and Highland Sourveld and Dohne Sourveld by
Acocks (1988). The vegetation is predominantly grassveld with some
forest relics in the steeper gorges and dongas. Black wattle is
encroaching the site especially along the valley.
•
Critical Views and Visibility
The surrounding mountain slopes and the De Beers Pass can be
considered as major viewing points. Any physical change to the
surface of the slopes would be highly visible. Views are extensive
especially when viewed from the higher elevations. The Zaaifontein site
is tucked away and is somewhat screened by topography from the
major viewing points.
Early rehabilitation of disturbed areas during construction will limit
permanent landscape scarring and reduce the visual intrusion.
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Visual Impact Assessment
•
Braamhoek Substation
Genius Loci
The spirit of place is created by the open broad valleys and rising
dramatic Drakensberg backdrop which is reinforced by the lack of
visible human intrusion and the existing farm dam. It is anticipated that
this sense of place will be greatly altered.
•
Visual Quality and Character
The visual quality of this higher lying grassland area is considered high.
This is due to the lack of human intrusion and the very diverse
topography resulting in a high visual interest and the scenic quality of
the existing farm dam.
These visual elements have created a quality that is vivid and one that
unifies the visual landscape.
•
Land Use
This section is located within a landscape utilised predominantly for
stock grazing. Few other land uses occur. This area is sparsely
populated with few homesteads scattered within the area. Farm labour
housing lies to the west of the site.
•
The Scale of the Landscape
The wide and extensive horizontal scale is reinforced by the vertical
definition of the massive Drakensberg Mountains in the north. The
horizontal scale of the landscape continues to the distant horizon to the
east, south and west.
5
IDENTIFICATION OF RISK SOURCES
Various risk sources for the visual impact have been identified for the
construction and operation phases and can be classified as both negative
and positive.
5.1
Construction Phase
It is anticipated that the major risk source during construction would be:
5.1.1
Negative Risk Sources
•
Excessive cleaning and stripping of topsoil for site offices, servitudes
and temporary access road;
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Visual Impact Assessment
5.1.2
Braamhoek Substation
•
The relatively random and disorganised lay down of building materials,
vehicles and offices;
•
Cut and fill slopes of access roads become highly visible if not revegetated and shaped to blend in with the existing topography;
•
The extent and intensity of the security and construction lighting at
night;
•
Dust from construction activities;
•
Open and unrehabilitated landscape scarring leading to erosion and the
formation of dongas;
•
Uncontrolled exploitation of borrow pits and quarries without compliance
to environmental controls related to aesthetic rehabilitation;
•
High seed bank of alien species such as Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii)
in the topsoil can lead to the uncontrolled spread of this exotic invader
plant species along the edges of the transmission line servitude. This
could create a treed edge that is visually contrary to the low grasslands;
and
•
Location and layout of construction workers camp if located in proximity
of works area.
Positive Risk Sources
•
Image of construction activity could lead to a perceived view of progress
and benefit to the community.
5.2
Operational Phase
5.2.1
Negative Risk Sources
•
Site engineering such as cuts and fills, could remain aesthetically
incompatible with surrounding landscape. Edges may not blend in with
the landscape or cut slopes may be too steep to be adequately revegetated;
•
Areas and / or specific sites of high aesthetic value may be disfigured
by the introduction of project components such as pylons and power
lines associated with substations within the viewshed resulting in a
permanent change to the existing visual quality of visually sensitive
areas; and
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Visual Impact Assessment
•
5.2.2
Braamhoek Substation
Need to keep servitudes clear of vegetation, especially in commercial
plantation areas, will result in visual scarring.
Positive Risk Sources
•
The Braamhoek Substation could be the visual affirmation of progress
and prosperity for the region.
6
IMPACT DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT
6.1
The Visual Analysis
This section describes the aspects which have been considered in order to
determine the intensity of the visual impact on the area. The criteria includes
the area from which the project can be seen (the viewshed), the viewing
distance, the capacity of the landscape to visually absorb structures and
forms placed upon it (the visual absorption capacity), and the appearance of
the project from important or critical viewpoints.
The focus of this study is specifically on the substation and not on the
ancillary infrastructure such as transmission lines and access roads.
6.1.1
The Viewshed
The viewshed is a topographically defined area which includes all possible
observation sites from which the project will be visible. The boundary of the
viewshed, which connects high points in the landscape, is the boundary of
possible visual impact (Alonso, et al, 1986). Local variations in topography
and man-made structures would cause local obstruction of views. The
viewshed for the route based on the field work extends for the main part
beyond a distance of five kilometres.
6.1.2
The Viewing Distance
The visual impact of an object in the landscape diminishes at an exponential
rate as the distance between the observer and the object increases (Hull and
Bishop, 1988).
Thus, the visual impact at 1000 metres would be approximately a quarter of
the impact as viewed from 500 metres. Consequently, at 2000 metres, it
would be one sixteenth of the impact at 500 metres. The view of the project
components would appear so small from a distance of 5000 metres or more
that the visual impact at this distance is insignificant. On the other hand the
visual impact of the project components from a distance of 500 metres or
less would be at its maximum.
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Visual Impact Assessment
6.1.3
Braamhoek Substation
The Visual Absorption Capacity
The Visual Absorption Capacity (VAC) is a measure of the landscape’s ability
to visually accept /accommodate or embrace a development. Areas which
have a high visual absorption capacity are able to easily accept objects so
that their visual impact is less noticeable. Conversely areas with low visual
absorption capacity will suffer a higher visual impact from structures imposed
on them. In this case the VAC has been defined as a function of three
factors.
Due to budgetary constraints a full VAC determination was not possible. It
was, therefore, prudent to determine the VAC based on the author’s field
experience.
•
•
•
Slope
Visual pattern (landscape texture) with regard to vegetation and
structures
Vegetation height
It is therefore concluded that the VAC of the substation is regarded as low to
medium.
6.2
The Visual Impact
The visual impact of the project and associated structures in the landscape is
a function of many factors (Table 2). Some of the factors are measurable
such as viewing distance, the visual absorption capacity of the surrounding
landscape and the scale of the surrounding environment and landform.
Other factors are subjective viewpoints, which are extremely difficult to
consistently categorise the opinion of the community. Studies in the U.S.A.
have shown that professionals and environmental groups view modification
of the natural landscape more negatively than other groups (McCool, et al
1986).
The critical appraisal of the visual impact of the project and associated works
on the landscape is presented from the viewpoint of the informed citizen and
professional. To the community surrounding the proposed project, it may
well be that they do not, or will not, object to the visual intrusion in their
immediate environment. It may be that they welcome it since they could
perceive it as a symbol of prosperity and personal advancement opportunity.
6.2.1
The View Distance
The visual impact of the project and associated structures will reduce
exponentially as the viewer moves further away from the proposed structures
(Hull and Bishop, 1988).
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Visual Impact Assessment
Braamhoek Substation
The substation will exert a high visual impact within the 500 m and 1 000 m
zone.
The viewshed analysis, based on the field experience, has indicated that the
proposed substation will be intermittently visible from certain areas beyond
the 5 000 m zone especially when viewed from the higher lying areas such
as the De Beers Pass.
6.2.2
Critical Viewpoints
Areas with high volumes of traffic such as the De Beers Pass, areas with
tourism potential and undeveloped rural areas with high scenic value were
regarded as critical view zones against which the visual impact would be
evaluated.
Critical views were determined during the field trip and from the 1:50 000
topographical maps. Critical views considered were those views from where
the majority of people could see the site such as the De Beers Pass.
6.2.3
Extent and Spatial Scale
The visual impact for both the construction and operation phases will occur
on a local scale due to the fact that the view does not generally extend to the
edge of the viewshed or beyond a distance of five kilometres except
intermittently from the De Beers Pass.
The visual impact extends beyond the 5 000 m zone for most of the route.
The general lack of effective screening in the form of existing landform and
trees from critical viewpoints, does not fully assist in limiting the extent of the
impact.
6.2.4
Duration
The duration of the impact during construction will be short term due to the
relatively short construction period and the rehabilitation of the disturbed
areas.
The duration of the impact during the operational phase will be long term, in
other words greater than 15 years, with the impact terminating only after a
possible decommissioning of the transmission line.
6.2.5
Intensity or Severity
The intensity of the visual impact during construction will be high within the
500 m.
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Visual Impact Assessment
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During the operational phase the visual impact of the transmission line within
the 500 m zone will be medium as the construction vehicles, camps and
stockpiles will be removed and surfaces to disturbed areas will be
rehabilitated.
It is not possible to screen the transmission line from the majority of the
viewers or potential viewers, namely the road users of the De Beers Pass
and the ecotourism in the area.
Beyond the 1 500 m zone the intensity of the impact becomes low due to the
flat to rolling topography. The severity diminishes significantly from the 2 500
m zone to the 5 000 m zone where the impact can be regarded as
insignificant due to the flat topography and extended viewing distance.
6.2.6
The Probability of Occurrence
The construction and operational impact described is probable.
6.2.7
Magnitude and Significance
It is considered that the significance of the impact of the construction phase
is medium to high due to the fact that it is of a short, but intense, duration.
The significance of the operational phase will remain high even though the
site will be rehabilitated and that it will become relatively less obtrusive in the
landscape. It must be mentioned that a highway (N3 De Beers Pass) is
planned to come through this area which will have a significant impact on the
visual environment.
6.2.8
Status of the Impact
The impact status of the substation is considered medium negative for the
construction and operational phases.
6.2.9
Degree of Confidence in Predictions
The degree of confidence that the visual impacts will occur is high.
6.2.10 Legislation
There are no specific legal requirements in the NEMA Act specific to the
infringement of the visual attributes of the region. The National Heritage
Resources Act No 25, 1999 requires that cultural sites and landscapes are
protected against physical and aesthetic change.
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Visual Impact Assessment
Table 1:
Table 1.1
Braamhoek Substation
Impacts on the Visual Environment
Braamhoek Substation
Theme
Nature of impact
Stage
Extent of impact
Duration of impact
Intensity or severity
Probability of occurrence
Status of the impact
Legal Requirements
Accumulative Impact
Level of significance
Mitigation measures
Aesthetics
Visual Impacts
Construction and Decommission
Operation
Regional
Regional
Short term
Long term
High
Medium
Highly probable
Highly probable
Negative
Negative
National Heritage Resources Act No 25, 1999
National Heritage Resources Act No 25, 1999
Low
Medium
Medium to high
Medium to high
Rehabilitate all disturbed areas to minimise the None
visual scarring.
Level of significance Potentially medium to high
Potentially medium to high
after mitigation
EMP requirements
Yes – environmental rehabilitation
None
Discussion: The visual impact of the substation is medium to high negative even though the valley in which it is located and the backdrop of
the escarpment help to screen it from the major critical viewpoints. The VAC is low to medium. The surrounding area is scenic and
picturesque and would have a high ecotourism value. Mitigation measures are limited as the position of the site is fixed. However, this site
(Zaaifontein) is preferred over the other two sites (Braamhoek East and West) as they are more visually exposed to the critical viewing points.
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Visual Impact Assessment
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7
RECOMMENDED GENERAL MITIGATION / MANAGEMENT MEASURES
7.1
Earthworks and Landscaping
The visual impact during construction will be moderately to highly significant
and little can be done about reducing the effect since the works cannot be
screened nor can they be moved to more visually suitable positions.
The mitigation measures for the substation during operation will need to
focus on effective rehabilitation of the construction area.
These
specifications must be explicit and detailed and included in the contract
documentation (Environmental Management Plan) so that the tasks can be
costed and monitored for compliance and result.
The galvanising of the steelworks should be allowed to weather to a matt
grey finish rather than be painted silver, as is often the case. This allows the
structures to blend in with the existing environmental colours more readily
than the silver which is highly reflective especially early morning and late
afternoon. Should it be necessary to paint, it is recommended that a neutral
matt finish be used.
Sculpturing or shaping the cut and fill slopes of platforms and access roads
to angles and forms that are reflected in the adjacent landscape can reduce
the visual impact. By blending the edges with the existing landforms the
visual impression made, is that the project component has followed a natural
route provided by the landscape, rather than been ‘engineered’ through the
landscape.
Vegetation stripping should be done in a manner where the edges are
organic (non-geometric) or curvilinear rather than straight or sharp edged as
viewers tend to form positive visual impressions such as “gentleness” and
“delicacy” and tend to object to negative visual impressions such as “rough”,
“rugged” or “violent” (Ribe, 1989). When disturbances in the landscape are
viewed from a distance, those with irregular lines, rather than straight lines
appear to blend in with the natural configuration and lines in the landscape
(Schaefer, 1967).
It is essential that all cut and fill slopes, as well as all areas disturbed by
construction activity, are suitably topsoiled and vegetated as soon as is
possible after final shaping. The progressive rehabilitation measures will
allow the maximum growth period before the completion of the project.
All areas affected by the construction works will need to be rehabilitated and
re-vegetated. This includes the areas beyond the works area such as
temporary access roads, construction campsites, workers campsites, borrow
pits, laydown areas, etc.
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The special conditions of contract must include for the stripping and
stockpiling of topsoil from the construction areas for later re-use. Topsoil is
considered to be at leas the top 300 mm of the natural soil surface and
includes grass, roots and organic matter. The areas to be cleared of topsoil
should be all areas that will be covered by structures, roads and construction
camps. The presence of degraded and disused roads and areas left over
after development that are not rehabilitated, could present a high perceptual
visual impact. These areas should be topsoiled and re-vegetated.
All existing large trees that fall outside the earthworks area must be retained.
These will assist in softening the forms of the structures and obscure views to
them.
Dust generated by construction activity and the haulage of materials and
equipment will need to be suppressed by regular wetting.
The importance of suppressing the visual aspects of dust cannot be overstressed since the visibility will generate the impression of a polluting
industry.
8
DISCUSSION
This study evaluated the visual impact of the Braamhoek Substation with a
view to assessing its severity based on the author’s experience, expert
opinion and accepted techniques.
8.1
Evaluation
Table 2, Visual Assessment Criteria Ratings, rates each criteria from high,
medium to low according to the specific characteristics of that criteria.
Table 3 Site Evaluation, lists for each criteria the visual criteria rating and the
visual impact of the component on these criteria,
The Eskom Braamhoek Substation will exert a negative influence on the
visual environment. This is largely due to:
•
•
•
Possible intermittent visibility of the project from elevated positions
along the De Beers Pass;
high visibility of construction and operation activity within large areas of
uniform visual pattern from scenic areas such as De Beers Pass and
surrounding farms;
the low visual absorption capacity of the setting which is attributable to:
relatively undulating topography;
the low vegetation height (less than one metre); and
the lack of visual diversity.
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The significance of the visual impact during construction is regarded as
medium to high due to the construction activities. This is, however, of a short
duration until the rehabilitation is complete.
The overall significance of the visual impact of the project during operation is
regarded as remaining medium to high negative rather than moderate
notwithstanding the implementation of the mitigation measures.
Table 2: Visual Assessment Criteria Ratings
CRITERIA
1. Visibility
HIGH
Very visible from
many places
beyond 1000
metre zone
2. Genius Loci
A particularly
definite place with
an almost tangible
dominant
ambience or
theme.
A very attractive
setting with great
variation and
interest but no
clutter.
Housing and/or
other structures as
a dominant visual
element.
Cannot
accommodate
proposed
development
without it
appearing totally
out of place
visually.
The site or
surrounding area
exhibits a definite
character.
A landscape which
has horizontal and
vertical elements in
high contrast to the
human scale.
3. Visual Quality
4. Visible Social
Structures
5. Surrounding
Landscape
Compatibility
6. Character
7. Scale
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MEDIUM
Visible from within
the 1000 metre
zone but partially
obscured by
intervening
objects.
A place which
projects a loosely
defined theme or
ambience.
LOW
Only partly visible
within the 1000
metre zone and
beyond due to
screening by
intervening objects.
A place having little
or no ambience with
which it can be
associated.
A setting which
has some
aesthetic and
visual merit.
A setting which has
little aesthetic value.
Housing and/or
other structures as
a partial visual
element.
Can accommodate
the proposed
development
without appearing
totally out of place.
Housing and/or
other structures as a
minor visual
element.
Ideally suits or
matches the
proposed
development.
The site or
surrounding area
exhibits some
character.
A landscape with
some horizontal
and vertical
elements in some
contrast to the
The site or
surrounding area
exhibits little or no
character.
Where vertical
variation is limited
and most elements
are related to the
human and
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Visual Impact Assessment
Braamhoek Substation
CRITERIA
HIGH
8. Visual
Absorption
Capacity (VAC)
The ability of the
landscape to easily
accept visually a
particular
development
because of its
diverse landform,
vegetation and
texture.
If uninterrupted
view distances to
the site are > than
5 km.
Views of the
project are to be
seen by many
people passing on
main roads and
from prominent
areas i.e. towns /
urban areas /
settlements, game
farms, guest
farms / lodges,
hiking routes.
9. View
Distance
10. Critical
Views
MEDIUM
human scale.
The ability of the
landscape to less
easily accepts
visually a particular
development
because of a less
diverse landform,
texture and
vegetation.
If uninterrupted
view distances are
< 5 km but > 1 km.
LOW
horizontal scale.
The ability of the
landscape not to
visually accept a
proposed
development
because of a
uniform texture, flat
slope and limited
vegetation cover.
If uninterrupted view
distances are >500
m and < 1000 m.
Some views of the
project from
surrounding
towns / urban
areas /
settlements, main
roads and game
farms / lodges.
Limited views to the
project from towns /
urban areas /
settlements, main
roads and game
farms / lodges.
Table 3: Site Evaluation: Western Route
CHARACTERISTICS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Visibility
Genius Loci
Visual quality
Social structures
Surrounding landscape
compatibility
6. Character
7. Scale
8. VAC
9. View Distance
10. Critical Views
Cave Klapwijk and Associates
VISUAL CRITERIA
RATING
Medium
High
High
Low
High
VISUAL IMPACT
Medium
High
High
Low
High
High
High
Low
High to medium
Low
High
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
15
Visual Impact Assessment
9
Braamhoek Substation
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Visual Impact
CAVE KLAPWIJK & ASSOCIATES, (1994). Saldanha Steel Project Phase 2
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Cave Klapwijk and Associates
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Visual Impact Assessment
Braamhoek Substation
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